The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has taken former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai into custody.
ICPC spokesman Okor Odey said in a statement on Wednesday night that Mr. El-Rufai was in the commission’s custody as of the close of work.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as of the close of work today, Wednesday the 18th day of February, 2026. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” the statement read.
Mr. Odey did not state the nature of the investigations.
Before the ICPC action, El-Rufai had spent two nights in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around on Monday morning after honouring an invitation over allegations linked to his tenure between 2015 and 2023.
An EFCC source stated on Tuesday that the former governor would remain with investigators and spend another night in custody.
Another official said the commission was considering obtaining a remand order after 48 hours to conclude questioning.
The EFCC investigation followed a petition by the Kaduna State House of Assembly based on a 2024 report of its ad hoc committee which examined finances, loans and contracts awarded during El-Rufai’s administration.
The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, alleged that several loans were not used for their intended purposes.
Speaker Yusuf Leman said N423 billion was allegedly siphoned under the former governor’s administration.
The assembly recommended that anti-graft agencies investigate and prosecute El-Rufai and some former cabinet members over alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, money laundering and contract awards without due process.
Petitions were sent to both the EFCC and the ICPC.
El-Rufai has denied the allegations, saying loans obtained during his tenure were appropriated and used for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security.
His counsel, A.U. Mustapha, confirmed that he cooperated with investigators and said he should be granted bail.
Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged interception of the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge followed comments El-Rufai made during an interview on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, where he said he heard instructions directing security operatives to arrest him.
He has not yet been arraigned.
Last Thursday, security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after he returned from Cairo, Egypt.
He later alleged that the arrest attempt was carried out on the instructions of Ribadu through the DSS.
It remains unclear whether the DSS transferred him to the ICPC or whether the commission acted independently in taking him into custody.
